Manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday that Thornton will be part of the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Thornton will join Ross Stripling as one of two long-relief options out of the bullpen. The role likely won't lend itself to much high-leverage work, as most of Thornton's usage is expected to come in mop-up situations or in the middle innings. He made 34 of his 37 appearances out of the bullpen for Toronto in 2021 and didn't record a hold or save.